Nfc East

Nothing Super About Once-vaunted Lineup

The NFC Beast is now the NFC Least. After producing three Super Bowl winners this decade, the NFC East division has produced the fewest wins in the NFC the last two years.

The Dallas Cowboys keep winning by default. They left the door open for New York Giants two years ago, but the Giants couldn't stand their brief prosperity. So the Cowboys gently closed it last year by winning again, only to meekly surrender in the playoffs to another division rival, the Arizona Cardinals.

The Washington Redskins are this year's most interesting member. Daniel Snyder, age 34, paid $800 million for the team, which means he thinks he can buy a championship too. Showing he means business, the bold Snyder began his tenure by firing a longtime secretary. Evidently, she had been calling the wrong plays all these years.

After winning a playoff game for the first time since they played in Chicago--no lie--the Cardinals began to get nostalgic for 1947 and show every sign of regressing through holdouts and free agent losses.

The Philadelphia Eagles hired Green Bay quarterback coach Andy Reid and a Green Bay quarterback. They signed the deals before owner Jeffrey Lurie realized it was Doug Pederson and not Brett Favre.

New York Giants

Coach Jim Fassel built his reputation as a quarterback coach, starting with John Elway. In New York, he is a coach of quarterback problems. He dumped Dave Brown and then Danny Kanell after a year and now thinks Kent Graham is the answer. But the Giants added Kerry Collins just in case.

Fortunately for Fassel, if the Giants bounce back, it will be with a defense that boasts the league's best defensive end, Michael Strahan.

- Changes: Besides the quarterback carousel, the Giants are counting on center Brian Williams and cornerback Jason Sehorn to return from injuries. Neither is a lock. Free agent Pete Mitchell will bolster the receiving at tight end and Amani Toomer replaces top receiver Chris Calloway. Former No. 1 pick Cedric Jones must step in for departed 11-sack end Chad Bratzke. Rookie Luke Petitgout may start at left guard. Northwestern's little-used running back Sean Bennett has stood out. Ryan Phillips replaces Marcus Buckley at strongside linebacker. Ex-Bear Jeremy Lincoln could be the starting right cornerback.

- Hopes: Strahan and linebacker Jessie Armstead are top players on a defense that can carry a team as long as the load isn't too heavy.

- Doubts: On offense, the team has finished no higher than 27th over the last five years. That won't get it.

Dallas Cowboys

Jerry Jones said he didn't know a cop was chasing him on his way to church. It provided the perfect metaphor for his team--one step ahead of the posse. The Cowboys are hanging onto dear life, hoping they can get one more year at a time out of superstars Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, Leon Lett and Deion Sanders. Oops. Lett already has been suspended again and Sanders may never be the same because of a toe injury.

- Changes: The addition of Alonzo Spellman attests to their desperation. Linebacker Quentin Coryatt and receiver Rocket Ismail arrived to keep the whirlpool warm. Center Mark Stepnoski is back. Flozell Adams moves to left tackle to enable Larry Allen to replace Nate Newton at guard. Randall Godfrey gets more roaming room with his shift from strong-side linebacker to middle linebacker.

- Hopes: Defensive linemen Kavika Pittman, Greg Ellis, Ebenezer Ekuban and Peppi Zellner show promise of rejuvenation. The offensive line is better too, so this team may have bottomed out.

- Doubts: Aikman, Irvin and Smith aren't really old yet, but the mileage is high. Aikman and Irvin, both 33, connected on only one touchdown pass last year. Smith is 30 and improved for the first time in three seasons.

Washington Redskins

Snyder also fired General Manager Charley Casserly soon after Casserly's trades garnered three No. 1 draft choices for 2000. If you notice coach Norv Turner's head on a swivel, he's just looking out for the guillotine. At least they acquired a gamer in ex-Minnesota quarterback Brad Johnson, but he must shake the injury jinx.

- Changes: Johnson replaces Trent Green and Gus Frerotte. Ex-Bear Andy Heck is the new left tackle. Rookie Jon Jansen is the right tackle. Rookie Champ Bailey is opposite ageless corner Darrell Green. Fullback Larry Centers, strong safety Sam Shade and defensive end Marco Coleman are newcomers. Coleman gives the Redskins a front four consisting of nothing but first-round draft picks. Turner may have 16 new starters from a year ago.